San Diego has lost several major musical icons in the last few weeks, including Ravi Shankar and Iron Butterfly’s Lee Dorman, but there are still many more to be found in the area, including bluesman Tomcat Courtney. Now in his 80s, Courtney still performs Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and at 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays at Café-Bar Europa, playing down-home acoustic blues, much the same as he always has. Dozens of well-known musicians have passed through his bands over the years and, late in life, he has earned the respect of blues fans the world over — particularly in Europe. If you haven’t seen him live yet, don’t pass up an opportunity to take in a performance from a true living legend.

Many top bands are aging and touring much less, leaving it to tribute acts to pick up the slack. Few do this as well as The Cured, which appears at Brick by Brick on Jan. 5. A musical homage to 1980s UK supergroup The Cure, San Diego’s version is currently touring worldwide. Such is its popularity that it is now playing venues up to 10,000 people strong, almost the same as their namesake act. The Cured specializes in the hits, so expect classics like “Love Cats” and “Friday I’m In Love,” as well as a full compliment of wigs and costumes to make this show the next best thing to the real deal.

Anyone on an entertainment budget will want to check out the Pacific Beach/Taylor Branch Library’s free monthly concerts. Featuring a wide variety of music, the next performance will be by the Martin Luther King Community Choir on Jan. 9, which will perform an evening of gospel music. Formed in 1990, the choir performs concerts to raise funds for scholarship grants, and has performed everywhere from public schools to Symphony Hall. With its mix of modern and traditional music and wonderful energy, this concert promises to be both entertaining and spiritually uplifting.

• Martin Luther King Community Choir performs at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 9 at Pacific Beach/Taylor Library, 4275 Cass St. All ages. No cost. www.pblibraryfriends.org/concert.htm

One of the best cover bands in town, The Nards perform at The Griffin on Saturday, Jan. 12. The ultimate bar band, this quartet, led by guitarist Rick Wilkins, can play just about anything — and if they don’t know it, they’d probably be willing to take a crack at it. The ultimate musical jukebox, they are up for anything from Iggy Pop to Pink Floyd and from new wave to classic rock. Perfect for dancing or just a plain-old good time, The Nards really are the perfect soundtrack to a Saturday night.

Dizzy’s in Mission Beach continues to be the spot for jazz in San Diego, with a schedule full of local legends and choice touring acts. On Jan. 12, the venue hosts a performance by Mikan Zlatkovich and his band, which includes Dave Curtis (bass), Russell Bizzett (drums) and special-guest Brian Levy (tenor saxophone). Zlatkovich is a wonderful tunesmith, also at home playing classics from the likes of Thelonious Monk or Ahmad Jamal. But he’s also a brilliant re-interpreter of pop songs. His latest album, “Come Together,” is titled after and includes the Lennon/McCartney hit. If you’re a fan of the piano, this show from one of the area’s finest players will be a great way to kick off 2013.